Designer Profile

Thian Rodriguez Brings Counterculture To His Latest Collection

Thian Rodriguez Manila

Kieran Punay

Thian Rodriguez Manila

Kieran Punay

The designer closed the three-day long BYS Fashion Week with a celebration of punk style.

Australian brand BYS Cosmetics celebrated its 10th year in the Philippines with a three-day event that showcases leading local talents. Renowned makeup artists and fashion designers came together to dress a star-studded cast of models. Miss Philippines 2022 representative Celeste Cortesi walked the runway for the JustBonita show, while Drag Race Philippines finalists Marina Summers and Eva Le Queen strutted their stuff for Kaye Morales’ collection.

Thian Rodriguez Manila Kieran Punay

Closing the last day of the fête was Thian Rodriguez. The fashion designer who specializes in leatherwear has been making his mark on the global industry over the past few years, having been worn by Pia Wurtzbach in an editorial for Vogue Italia and again as she reunited with three other beauty queens for another international magazine’s cover shoot.

He even made headlines in 2021 when he dressed multi-Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Lizzo in one of his creations. Several months later, he debuted “3AM,” his capsule collection, in New York City.

Rodriguez got his start in the industry shadowing his mentor Francis Libiran. He went on to win the Red Box Design Talents award for Apparel in 2015, standing out among 140 aspiring contestants.

For BYS Fashion Week this season, Rodriguez debuted a lineup that lauded punk fashion and counterculture style while highlighting his craftsmanship. Models walked out in intricate spiked harnesses with dangling chains, juxtaposed by flowing tulle skirts and dresses.

Thian Rodriguez Manila Kieran Punay
Thian Rodriguez Manila Kieran Punay

Other looks featured studded utilitarian chest and waist packs in leather and patchwork denim. Tartan and tulle capes were also featured, as well as a white four-tiered gown with a bodice made of leather straps and buckles.

Actress and singer Nadine Lustre appeared as Rodriguez’s special guest to close the show. She stepped out in a full sparkling skirt with a spiked belt and a fetishist leather bra top. Lustre stunned audiences with her beauty look for the show; bleached brows, graphic eyes, and a long braid down to her waist.

Thian Rodriguez Kieran Punay
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